Summer Top 10

Ok...this is getting ridiculous...why is it so hard to sit down and do this? Summer has been over for awhile and I have a million things worth blogging about. Rather than boring you I will list the highlights of the past few months (in no particular order).

10. SIX FLAGS...With season passes to Six Flags in Vallejo, we made every effort to go as often as we could. The kids love it there! The boys love the water rides (we always must bring an extra change of clothes) and the girls love the little kiddie rides. We are lucky to have a grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins to go with us.

Austin and McCall posing...Aust wanted to look fierce

Hayden and Ainsley on the merry go round


9. O CANADA! Every year I try to take my family home to Southern Alberta for a month. It takes about 22 hours to drive...and driving with 5 kids...especially my 5 kids... is not fun. It is, however, well worth it. This year we had the best time ever! We did lots of fun things but the best part by far was spending time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that they rarely see. Some great bonds were formed that will hopefully last forever. My kids are being raised in a much different enviroment than me so I feel it is vital for them to experience a slower way of life...even if it is only for 1 month.

Beautiful southern Alberta...when we were there the canola fields were gorgeous.

Balderson homestead...home sweet home.

My Great Grandpa Balderson's barn...my brother is building a house on that farm.

8. AINSLEY IS A WALKER! We were so excited when Ainsley began to walk 2 weeks after her 1st birthday. We are not so excited now.

This should be a picture of her walking...but I liked this one more!

7. The Magrath Trading Company is gone! The "store"...that I grew up working in was sold over the summer! It has been in our family for generations. I began working there in 8th grade on Saturdays (in the clothing department) with my grandma Marge. Memories... It is very sad but now my parents will have more time to come and visit us! It is under new ownership and will be renamed "ROOSTERS COUNTRY MARKETPLACE".

This is a picture of our beloved MTC on parade day.

6. DANNY BALDERSON BASKETBALL CAMP...for the past 11 years my brother, Danny, has been running a youth basketball camp in Magrath. This is one of the highlights of the summer for my boys. This year he had almost 150 kids! My boys loved the 1 on 1 tounaments, elimination, the 3 on 3 tournaments, and meeting new friends. The 5 on 5 tournaments were a little intense and they got a little upset they didn't win, but they had a great time. Thanks Uncle Danny!

I didn't take any pictures except this one of Parker sitting at the award ceremonies.

5. We caught up on our SLEEP. Even though it doesn't get dark until about 11 pm in the summer, we still managed to get a lot of sleep this trip. After a long day of outdoor play, we all were exhausted!

A common bedtime Parker.

I walked in one night to see the girls holding hand while they slept...awwww.

4. WATERTON...if you have never been to Glacier National Park, you are missing out! It is stunningly beautiful. Way back in the early 1900's when my great grandfather brought his young bride from Iowa to Southern Alberta hoping to convince her to move, she was not impressed. When he took her to Waterton...she quickly changed her mind. She left her entire family as my grandfather promised they would return to beautiful Waterton often. My kids were excited to go for a dip in the icy water, go for a hike, play on the playground, and of course get a Big Scoop.

Austin, McCall and Hayden

Austin couldn't wait to jump in!

So gorgeous!

3. MAGRATH CELEBRATION PARADE...the Magrath Parade is the best. Even though it lasts for under an hour it is one of the best things about going home. It is really fun to see old friends there...because the entire town is there. My kids LOVED being on the float this year and throwing candy. Austin decided he would rather catch candy and came home with a HUGE bag. This year we had a team in the family softball tournament. Since Austin is 10 he got to play!

Last Trading Company float EVER!

Uncle Danny, Brooklyn, Levi, and Bayley riding their horses in the parade.

2. GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, AND COUSINS...there is nothing better than being together with your family. We loved spending time with each other.

Aunt Patti, Grandma and Aunt Debbie at Aunt Patti's new house.

Cute cousins Gracie, Brooklyn and Bayley.

Ainsley loved her big cousin Maysa...I think they will be great friends someday!

Great Grandpa...has had a hard year...it was so good to spend time with him.

1. My kids continue to grow...it seems like over summer they grow a foot. It must be all the sun and swimming! While it is exciting to see them get taller, bigger and smarter, it still makes me a little sad.

People always ask me if McCall and Parker are twins.

Hayden will be in preschool this year.

My baby is growing up.